I’ve just read (links below) about the substantial increase in Arthritis diagnosis and the outrageous increase of 100 billion dollar in medical expenditure associated with arthritis.
When my mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) she was in severe pain. Desperate for help, we blindly followed the advice of her doctor and put her on an aggressive treatment with Remicaid. She was to get an infusion ($6500) every 6 weeks. Unfortunately, the drug made her terribly sick. At first, it relieved some of her pain, but eventually she got other problems (infections, flu, and pneumonia) and felt horrible after each infusion. Her RA symptoms weren’t as great, but now her whole immune system was so weak she couldn’t eat, walk or live a normal life.
When we approached her doctor about all her new symptoms, each time he just sent her to new doctors who would give her new tests and new drugs. She was miserable and getting so weak I thought she was going to die. When I told the doctor that she’s going to stop taking the medication, he coldly told us that she’d be coming back in a wheelchair begging to be put back on drugs. Wow! I was in shock by his coldness and really lost all respect for him. I truly thought at that point that he was probably more motivated by the money and his ego than by helping my mom heal. This isn’t healthcare.
Well, it took her a long time to get her immune system stronger. We tried natural supplements such as Tumeric, MSM and others. She went to a Chinese herbalist and got some relief. However, she had such low energy, swelling, and was still not doing well. I started working in marketing for an acupuncturist and saw first hand what acupuncture could actually do for people. I did a lot of research and found out that most people and insurance companies don’t understand the power and benefits of this ancient method of healing. I saw how patients – young and old with different ailments were getting better without drugs.
My mom started getting acupuncture treatment along with herbs and immediately felt better. The swelling in her ankles which she had for years, probably due to her high blood pressure meds, went away the first treatment. She’s not 100% better yet, but at 83 years old, I think she has a better chance at living longer now. She’s only been in treatment for about a month (2 to 3 times a week) and I see such an improvement in her energy, her pain and her overall health. She’s not as depressed either. Now, she feels that she’s on the right path to heal.
Remicaid and other drugs like this are covered by medicare and AARP, but they don’t cover Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine. My mom pays a substantial amount on her AARP coverage but the treatment that works for her isn’t covered. At $6500 every 6 weeks plus the numerous test and subsequent doctors she had to go to because of the new symptoms associated with the drugs, seems like an awful waste of money, time and good reasoning, not to mention the utter lack of real healthcare. This drug was not only costly but it was dangerous.
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is proven to relieve pain and to treat chronic disease. I often hear that people want scientific proof, which I understand. However, where’s the scientific proof for all these drugs? Really. I mean I see so many problems associated with medication, yet this is our first choice.
How can we educate the public about acupuncture and natural Chinese herbs? Let’s do the research needed to substantiate these methods. Who can I write to share my story? I’m really concerned about the health of this country. The expense of drugs is outrageous. When I read blogs about fosomax or the purple pill, people are complaining about severe side effects. Let’s get America healthy. It will save us all money in the long run. But, most important, it will save the lives of our loved ones. Please help.
http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/resources/spotlights/arthritis_diagnoses.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/resources/spotlights/dollars.htm
